Peggy FiKac: Too Hot

Democrat Chris Bell says it’s “morally offensive” that the state is diverting money from helping low-income people with their utility bills while taxpayers pick up the hefty utility bill at the public housing used by Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry spokesman Robert Black called it “silliness” for Bell to bring the Governor’s Mansion electric bills into the argument.

Bell’s camp called on Perry to “either cease collecting” the fee from ratepayers or use it “for its intended purpose.”

Black noted it was lawmakers who voted to divert the money into the state’s general-purpose fund. He also said several utilities voluntarily offer discounts — including TXU at Perry’s urging, he said. Black said Perry’s proposed budget included funding for the program, but he doesn’t have authority to add it to the budget approved by lawmakers.

Perry also didn’t add the issue to the special session agenda, which he could have done. Black said Perry needed to be sure lawmakers focused on the priority of school finance and tax overhaul legislation.

What of the mansion’s electric bill, which Bell said was $4,843.41 in July 2005 and $5,522.86 this May?

Black said the 150-year-old mansion is a public building open to tours, not just Perry’s home. He said more than 500 tourists a month walk through the Governor’s Mansion in the summer.

“What does he prefer?” Black asked. “That the state use really big blocks of ice?”